Tag: NFL

Seahawks Week 13 inactives: 7 players will not suit up

Seahawks Week 13 inactives: 7 players will not suit up

The Seattle Seahawks are less than two hours away from their cross-conference road showdown against the New York Jets. Seattle needs a win to stay in first place, as they control their own destiny from here on out. New York may be on their last gasp, but they still have a stingy defense that could play spoiler if the Hawks are not careful.

The good news for Seattle is the team is relatively healthy. Only two players were listed as QUESTIONABLE for this weekend: tight end Brady Russell and safety AJ Finley. The bad news is Finley is inactive this weekend, but Russell isn’t! Meaning Russell will be in his first game after missing the last two. The Seahawks clearly prepared for a potential absence of Finely, as they elevated safety Ty Okada from the practice squad on Saturday.

Other notable inactive for Seattle is quarterback Jaren Hall, who was also elevated from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster.

The full inactive list from both teams can be seen below.

Seahawks Inactives:

  • CB Nehemiah Pritchett
  • S AJ Finley
  • FS Jerrick Reed II
  • LB Trevis Gipson
  • WR Dareke Young
  • DE Mike Morris
  • QB Jaren Hall

Jets Inactives:

  • RB Israel Abanikanda
  • OL Jake Hanson
  • OL Max Mitchell
  • LB CJ Mosley
  • CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse
  • EDGE Braiden McGregor

Be sure to follow @TheSeahawksWire and @KoleMusgrove23 on Twitter during the game for more live updates, analysis and highlights!

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Darius Robinson to make NFL debut; Jalen Thompson returns to lineup

The Cardinals released their inactive list and Robinson was not on it for the first time since returning to the team from injured reserve.

Arizona Cardinals fans will finally get to see the NFL debut of first-round pick defensive lineman Darius Robinson. The team released its inactive list 90 minutes before kickoff against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13 and he was not included for the first time.

Robinson, who started the season on injured reserve with a calf injury, has been working for weeks since being activated. He has had two full weeks of practice.

The Cardinals have a plan for his usage. With him being active, defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga will not dress.

Returning to the lineup after missing two games with an ankle injury is safety Jalen Thompson.

Here are the Cardinals’ inactive players for Week 13:

Cardinals Week 13 inactive list

  • OLB Julian Okwara
  • OL Christian Jones
  • TE Travis Vokolek
  • WR Xavier Weaver
  • DL Khyiris Tonga

Okwara has fallen out of the rotation since the acquisition of Baron Browning. Jones, Vokolek and Weaver have been regularly inactive.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

The Seahawks love playing at MetLife Stadium

The Seahawks love playing at MetLife Stadium

The Seattle Seahawks are once again returning to MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands to face a New York team. Interestingly, this time it will not be the Giants, but instead the Jets. It will be the first time the Seahawks have played the Jets on their home turf.

Well, maybe I shouldn’t be calling MetLife “home turf” for the New York teams, because it has turned into a home-away-from home for the Seahawks. Ever since MetLife Stadium first opened its doors in 2010, Seattle has known nothing but victory on this turf. Whether the opponents are wearing blue, green or even orange, the Seahawks reign supreme in the Meadowlands.

It’s never a bad time to take a trip down memory lane, so let us do just that, shall we? Here are all six wins the Seahawks have earned at MetLife Stadium:

  • Oct. 9th, 2011 – Seahawks 36, Giants 25
  • Dec.15th, 2013 – Seahawks 23, Giants 0
  • Feb. 2nd, 2014 – Seahawks 43, Broncos 8 (Super Bowl XLVIII)
  • Oct. 2nd, 2016 – Seahawks 27, Jets 17
  • Oct. 22nd, 2017 – Seahawks 24, Giants 7
  • Oct. 2nd, 2023 – Seahawks 24, Giants 3

As you can see, Sunday will mark only the second time Seattle has traveled to New York/New Jersey for a road game against the Jets. Interestingly enough, the Jets have traveled to Lumen Field twice since the 2016 season, both being dominant Seahawks victories as well.

Why do Rams kickers seem to regress under special teams coach Chase Blackburn?

Joshua Karty is the latest kicker to struggle with the Rams under special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn

It has been no secret for Rams fans that the team has suffered from inconsistent kicking performances since the hiring of special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn.

Having gone through three kickers in two years, the prevalent problems of missed field goals and extra points have somehow plagued every player who inherits the starting job. When looking at Brett Maher, Lucas Haversik, and Joshua Karty, you have three kickers with three different backgrounds and experience levels. Yet, as Rams, all three kickers have had a field goal make percentage between 73.9-76.2%.

However, it is not a case of the Rams signing kickers with that percentage.  Maher was effective in the year before he joined the Rams. During his 2023 season in Los Angeles, Maher’s FG accuracy was 73.9% with two missed extra points in 15 attempts. He was also 10-of-17 from 40 yards and beyond.

In 2022 with the Dallas Cowboys, Maher’s FG accuracy was 90% with three missed extra points in 50 attempts. He was 15-for-18 from 40-plus yards. Maher was coached by former Rams STC John Fassel during that season.

Lucas Havrisik was an inconsistent kicker throughout his collegiate career and he has yet to play a game in the NFL outside of his stint with the Rams so Blackburn wasn’t entirely to blame in 2023. But Karty’s performances in 2024 have changed that narrative.

Karty has only made 76.2% of his field goal attempts with two extra points missed and a 5-for-8 mark from 40-plus yards. Considering he’s supposed to be getting better coaching in the NFL, Karty should have better numbers from his days in college but they are in fact worse.

In 2023 as a member of the Stanford Cardinal, Karty made 85.2% of his field goals and was 11-for-14 from 40+ yards. The problem appears to be Blackburn.

Until the Rams fix whatever issues Blackburn is causing, whoever is kicking the ball will be subject to the same failures as before. It seems cruel to say but not being able to retain John Fassel in 2019 seems even more frustrating when the former Rams special teams coordinator has turned Brandon Aubrey into an All-Pro.

Staff predictions for Chargers vs. Falcons

Find out who the Chargers Wire staff is picking between Los Angeles and Atlanta in Week 13.

The Los Angeles Chargers kick off Week 13 against the Atlanta Falcons.

Who is going to come out victorious?

Here is a look at the predictions from each of our writers at Chargers Wire:

Gavino:

The Chargers look to bounce back after losing to the Ravens last Monday. Los Angeles enters this game on a short week, while the Falcons come into this one well-rested after their bye. Offensively for the Bolts, I expect Justin Herbert to shred a Falcons defense that has struggled against the pass. On the other side of the ball, I see Jesse Minter’s unit getting back on track after surrendering 57 points combined in the last two weeks. Kirk Cousins is not on the same level as Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson. Bijan Robinson is also no Derrick Henry. Chargers 27, Falcons 21

Alex K:

Atlanta’s defense doesn’t have the resources to compete with Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey if both come out sharp, but the Falcons offense is getting healthier and has been effective moving the ball this season. Expect a fairly high-scoring affair that the Chargers can pull out with some key plays on special teams. Chargers 30, Falcons 23

Is Alex Highsmith playing today? Injury updates for the Steelers’ EDGE

Pittsburgh Steelers pass-rusher Alex Highsmith is still dealing with an ankle injury. Here are the latest updates.

In the fourth quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 10 victory over the Washington Commanders, pass-rusher Alex Highsmith sustained a left ankle injury. While pressuring quarterback Jayden Daniels, Highsmith stepped on Daniels’ foot, causing his ankle to twist awkwardly. He fell to the ground in pain and required assistance leaving the field. Post-game, Highsmith was seen using crutches, indicating the injury’s severity.

This setback follows Highsmith’s earlier three-game absence due to a groin injury. In his absence, the Steelers plan to rely on Nick Herbig and recently acquired Preston Smith to fill the void.

Alex Highsmith injury update

There was a glimmer of hope that Highsmith would be back on the field this Sunday after participating in Thursday and Friday practice, though in a limited capacity.

“We got Alex Highsmith leaning in on a return,” Tomlin said in his Tuesday press conference. “We’ll let his participation and the quality of that participation be our guide in terms of whether he gets back in or what degree he gets back in.”

Unfortunately, what Tomlin saw wasn’t quality enough, and Highsmith was ruled out for the third consecutive game.

How long will Alex Highsmith be out?

It appears Highsmith is inching closer to playing. Barring a setback, expect him to be ready for Pittsburgh’s Week 14 matchup with the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium.

Steelers outside linebacker depth chart

Pittsburgh struggled mightily to contain Cleveland in their Week 12 loss. Getting Highsmith back should be huge, but expect healthy doses of Herbig and Smith in the meantime.

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Is Tyler Higbee playing today? Injury updates for Rams TE

Rams TE Tyler Higbee is nearing a return from offseason knee and shoulder surgeries. Here are the latest updates.

Tyler Higbee has been sidelined since tearing his ACL and MCL in the Los Angeles Rams’ playoff loss to the Detroit Lions in January. It’s been a long road but the veteran tight end finally returned to practice for the first time last week.

He’s going to play at some point this season, it’s just a matter of when. The Rams could use him, too, with the offense sputtering and stalling out, particularly on third down and in the red zone.

Here are the latest updates on Higbee as he continues to work his way back from a serious knee injury suffered eight months ago.

Tyler Higbee injury update

Sean McVay provided an update on Higbee’s status Friday, telling reporters that the Rams will hold him out for another week so he will not play against the Saints today. He said Higbee isn’t “quite ready,” even though he “probably is.”

The Rams just want to be smart with him rather than rushing him back.

“It was great having him back in practice this week,” McVay said. “He has brought a spark and an energy and just being himself. He’ll still be out though, not quite ready. He probably is, but we’re going to be smart with him.

How long will Tyler Higbee be out?

It’s uncertain how much longer Higbee will be out but he’s clearly getting close to returning. McVay indicated he’s probably ready to play now but they want to take it slow and ensure that he’s fully healthy before putting him on the field again.

Rams TE depth chart

Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen and Hunter Long will continue to split time at tight end while Higbee is out.

Commanders make the right choice with Austin Ekeler

The Commanders placed Austin Ekeler on IR, which was the right move.

The Washington Commanders placed running back Austin Ekeler on injured reserve Saturday. The move means that Ekeler will miss at least the next four games, making him eligible to return for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Dallas Cowboys.

Ekeler suffered a concussion at the end of last week’s loss to Dallas. It was his second concussion of the season, as he suffered one back in Week 3 and missed the following game.

Washington did the right thing, sidelining Ekeler for at least the next five weeks. Remember, the Commanders have a Week 14 bye.

Since Ekeler entered the NFL back in 2017, he has suffered four documented concussions. That doesn’t take into account any concussions he may have had before his NFL career. No concussion is more severe than another. Each time you suffer a concussion, it’s a head injury and should be treated with extreme caution.

So, while the Commanders are in a playoff race and Ekeler is one of their best players, they do right by the player, something that wasn’t always the case before new owner Josh Harris, general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn arrived.

Depending on how Ekeler recovers, he may or may not play again this season.

In the meantime, Washington will try to get it done on offense with running backs Brian Robinson Jr., Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez. Quarterback Jayden Daniels will also be involved in Washington’s running game.

There are usually very few updates on players in the NFL’s concussion protocol, meaning it could be a while before there is a definitive update on Ekeler.

NFL Week 13 picks: See who experts are taking in Commanders vs. Titans today

Who are the experts riding with in Week 13?

The Washington Commanders (7-5) host the Tennessee Titans (3-8) in one of the most interesting NFL Week 13 games.

In a meeting of teams with first-year head coaches and young quarterbacks, the Commanders and Titans appeared to be heading in completely opposite directions a few short weeks ago. However, Washington has lost three games in a row — all by one score — while the Titans have played much better behind second-year quarterback Will Levis.

Levis led the Titans to an upset road win over the Houston Texans last week, passing for 278 yards and two touchdowns despite being sacked eight times. Meanwhile, the Commanders were disappointing for 55 minutes against Dallas before the offensive came alive with two Jayden Daniels touchdown passes in the final five minutes. Unfortunately for Washington, kicker Austin Seibert missed the extra point, giving Dallas the upset win.

The Commanders enter Sunday as a six-point favorite over the Titans.

We made our picks. What do the experts think?

According to NFL Pickwatch, 89% of the experts’ picks are going with the Commanders. Last week, 99% of the picks came in for Washington over Dallas.

Can the Commanders avoid another upset before their Week 14 bye?

Prediction and betting odds for Commanders vs. Titans in Week 13

Analyzing Commanders vs. Titans game with odds and lines, predictions and best bets.

The Washington Commanders (7-5) host the Tennessee Titans (3-8) in Week 13 action from Northwest Stadium. The Commanders hope to snap a three-game losing streak before finally hitting their bye next week.

Despite its recent struggles, Washington still has one of the NFL’s top offenses. However, the team will be without two key performers: running back Austin Ekeler, who is now on injured reserve, and right tackle Andrew Wylie, who will miss Sunday’s game. The Commanders will also have to deal with Tennessee’s No. 2-ranked defense.

Below are the latest odds and our final score prediction for Sunday.

Commanders vs. Titans game odds:

All NFL Odds via BetMGM:

  • Point spread: Commanders -6 (-110) / Titans +6 (-110)
  • Money line: Commanders -275 / Titans +220
  • Over-under: 44.5 (O: -110 / U: -110)

Commanders vs. Titans injury updates:

  • Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore: Doubtful (hamstring)
  • Commanders RT Andrew Wylie: Out (concussion)
  • Commanders RB Austin Ekeler: Out (concussion, placed on IR)
  • Titans OT Leroy Watson: Out (back)
  • Titans CB Chidobe Awuzie: Out (groin)

Commanders vs. Titans prediction, pick:

Bryan Manning:

This game looks much different now than it would have a few weeks ago. The Commanders were rolling, and the Titans looked lost. Over the last three weeks, Tennessee has played much better behind second-year quarterback Will Levis. Meanwhile, Jayden Daniels and Washington’s offense isn’t playing at the same level as it was during the first half of the season. On Sunday, the Commanders face a stingy Titans defense. Daniels will find a way to get it done and end Washington’s three-game skid. Commanders 20, Titans 16

Ivan Lambert:

The Commanders come into the game averaging 27.8 points per game, while the Titans have only been able to generate 18.4.

Jayden Daniels has certainly had a much better season than the Titans’ Will Levis. This is illustrated in the Commanders passing for 222.8 yards per game, while the Titans have managed 183.7.

With Austin Ekeler on injured reserve and Brian Robinson injured again last week, Robinson will not be 100 percent.

Thus, Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez must be ready to step up and produce. The Commanders have been averaging 147.8 rushing yards this season. While the Titans have only been managing to produce 118.4.

The question will be, what kind of rushing attack can the Commanders generate? If they can’t accomplish a good rushing threat, the Titans’ pass rush will have more success against Daniels. Commanders 20, Titans 17

Serena Burks: Earlier this season, the conversation would have been very different if these two teams had met. Jayden Daniels took the league by storm, and Will Levis looked like he didn’t belong. Now, though, both teams look different. The Titans are on an upswing, while the Commanders have lost three in a row. The Titans’ stout defense will do everything in its power to stop Jayden Daniels, but the truth is, if they can take away his weapons and force Daniels to do it on his own, the Titans have a strong chance of winning. Still, the Commanders are at home and desperate to keep their playoff hopes alive. It will be a fun game to watch and it will probably be close in the end, but the Commanders will pull it off at home. Commanders 27, Titans 24

Commanders vs. Titans channel, start time, streaming:

The Commanders vs. Titans game starts at 1:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on CBS.

Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.